6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



to recognize, more and more, that the efforts of the Commission 

 are for their own good, and that they are being protected against 

 the illegal competition of those who willfully disregard the laws 

 which have been created to preserve for them an important industry. 



Work in connection with the propagation of the clam has not been 

 neglected. A careful watch has been kept on the shores of the 

 bay in order to determine the location of the new set, so that they 

 might be distributed in favorable localities, and the survey of the- 

 shore to determine the location of favorable localities for planting 

 clams has been continued. In other states the planting of clams 

 has been commenced along the lines worked out by this Commission. 



Along scientific lines much progress was made last summer at the 

 Wickford laboratory in determining the rate of growth of the 

 lobster, in studying his ability to repair injury, and his migratory 

 propensities. Some of these facts will receive special treatment 

 in the latter part of the report. The continued study of the physical 

 and biological conditions of the bay was also carried well forward,, 

 especially along the lines of a survey of the shores to determine the 

 location of favorable localities for planting clams, quahaugs, lob_ 

 ster fry, etc., and the determination of the distribution and numbers 

 of food and other fishes in the waters of the bay. 



Your Commission again undertook the preparation of an exhibit 

 at the fair of the Washington County Agricultural Society at Kings- 

 ton. In co-operation with Hon. Rowland G. Hazard, of Peace Dale, 

 and Mr. George A. Griffin, of Wakefield, an exhibit pertaining to 

 sea farming was installed in a building provided for the purpose by 

 authorities of the fair. Six large tanks of sea water were used 

 for an exhibit of the more common food fishes of the Bay and many 

 of the more rare or curious forms. Through the courtesy of the 

 New York Aquarium several specimens of Blue Angels, a beautiful 

 Bermudan fish, were secured and kept alive through the fair. An- 

 other tank of fresh-water fish and a collection of shell-fish, lobsters in 

 various stages, models of nets and traps and other fishing utensils, 

 were exhibited. Many thousands of persons were thus acquainted 



